Performance Review: Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Nissan Altima Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Nissan Altima has a 3498cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Altima shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Altima's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1479 kgs (3260 lbs) this makes the Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Nissan Altima shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 3498cc 24V V6 engine produces 270 bhp (201 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Nissan Altima you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 BMW 1 Series M140i xDrive F20 (207.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan Altima.

The Nissan Altima has a Power to weight ratio of 182.5 bhp per ton and 174.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Altima competing with the 2016 BMW 1 Series M140i xDrive F20 (207.4 bhp per ton) or the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L (207.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Nissan Altima generating around 174.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (199.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS 4.8 V8 (199.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Altima and the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG

When talking about the performance of the Nissan Altima on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.14 secs @ 96.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG (14.07 secs), the 2003 Nissan 350Z 300 GT Coupe (14.08 secs), and the 2003 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet (14.08 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Altima equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Altima Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison